birth rate

The number of live births per 1,000 of the population over a period of time, usually a year (sometimes it is also expressed as a percentage). For example, a birth rate of 20/1,000 (or 2%) would mean that 20 babies were being born per 1,000 of the population. It is sometimes called crude birth rate because it takes in the whole population, including men and women who are too old to bear children.

The US birth rate rose by 2% in 1998, the first increase since 1999, according to a report released in March 2000 by the National Center for Health Statistics. The upturn was reported to be primarily due to a strong economy and an increase in both the number of women in their 20s and the number of children being born to each woman.